The chants from the away end at Turf Moor told their own story. Darren Fletcher’s name rang out alongside those of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick, a trio linked by the Manchester United crest. But on a night where Fletcher took temporary charge, what he truly needed to bolster his managerial credentials was not just songs, but three points. In the end, he was left with neither a definitive victory in the popularity stakes nor on the pitch, as his side squandered a lead to draw 2-2 with Burnley.
A Tale of Two Halves for Fletcher's United
The evening began inauspiciously for the Scot. Having abandoned Ruben Amorim’s three-man defence, Fletcher reinstated Bruno Fernandes in his favoured role behind striker Benjamin Sesko, with Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte anchoring midfield. Yet, his reshaped side fell behind in the 13th minute to a cruel Ayden Heaven own goal, the young defender helpless as Bashir Humphreys’ cross-shot deflected off him into the net.
For much of the first half, United lacked edge and intensity, allowing Burnley comfort. The tide only turned as half-time approached. United penned the hosts back, creating a flurry of chances. Burnley goalkeeper Martin Dubravka made three saves from Sesko, while Maxime Esteve cleared brilliantly off the line from Patrick Dorgu.
Sesko Sparks Hope Before Familiar Collapse
The resurgence bore fruit early in the second half. Fernandes’ exquisite pass split the defence and Sesko finished emphatically across Dubravka. Nine minutes later, the Slovenian striker, whose United career had previously floundered, volleyed home a second from Dorgu’s cross with newfound confidence. At 2-1 up with Burnley visibly flagging, the game seemed won.
However, the modern United’s chronic inability to kill games resurfaced. Substitute Jaidon Anthony equalised for Burnley in the 66th minute, holding off Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw to curl a superb left-footed shot into the far corner. The goal, against the run of play, transformed the match’s momentum.
Points Dropped in a Deepening Rut
United pushed desperately for a winner. Substitute Shea Lacey, whom Fletcher once coached in the academy, struck the crossbar late on, while Sesko was denied a hat-trick by Dubravka. The visitors ended the match having taken 30 shots on goal – a Premier League season record – but with only a point to show for it.
The result leaves United stuck in a damaging cycle. Burnley became the seventh team in the bottom half this season to take points off them, joining Leeds, Wolves, West Ham, Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest and Everton. For Darren Fletcher, the dream night ended in familiar frustration, a microcosm of a team lacking the killer instinct required at the elite level. Whoever takes the job permanently will inherit a squad mired in a pattern of self-inflicted harm.
